Friends Who Are Going

Friends Attending

Friends Attending

Friends Attending

Description

The First Twenty Seconds - Vinny Francois (MTL)

So many decisions are made right off the top of an improv scene and you might not even be aware of it. Offers can fly right by if you aren’t paying attention. Or maybe you’re making offers you aren’t even aware of. So much can be established in the first twenty seconds of a scene that it’s worth taking some time to drill down to the details that go beyond who/what/where.

This workshop teaches students to pay attention with all their senses and to bring unconscious choices to their conscious attention so that their improv can be done with intent and craft. We will cover: the subtle physical and emotional offers that are easily missed, how to pay attention off the top of the scene, how to build detail on top of detail so that the scene flows organically and fluidly. Students will also perform an exercise called The Scene-Start Blow-Up.

Instructors Bio:

Vinny Francois has over 20 years of experience as a professional improviser. A founding director of the Montreal Improv Theatre, he has performed in more shows and venues across Canada than he cares to count. He also is on the board of directors of Mprov: The Montreal Improv Festival.

Vinny plays regularly with his improvised fantasy/fairy tale troupe, Quest of the Dragon King which toured Northeast USA in 2015 (NYC, Boston, Philly, Hartford, & Baltimore). He often performs with Sean Michaels as absurdist duo Venezuela (Ottawa 2011 & 2014, Philly’s Duofest 2014, Toronto 2012, Montreal Fringe 2011). He appeared in the duo “Patti & Vinny” with Patti Stiles (2013), co-produced four improv shows for the Montreal Fringe Festival and directed the tragic improv show “It’s Not You, It’s Me” in Canada, the US and the UK. He has appeared in improv festivals in New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Austin, Ottawa, Toronto & Victoria. Vinny has also performed and held workshops in Dublin, London, Paris, Antwerp, Geneva, & Tallinn.

Vinny is excited to share the thrill of doing improv with anyone willing to learn.